Cleome Selfie Seeds

The Cleome, or the spider flower, are tall, elegant plants with their unique, spider-like blooms whose leaves look very similar to cannabis. It is known as marijuana's doppleganger and is known to fool plenty of people.

Before delving into the care tips, it's crucial to understand how to properly plant cleome.

• Choosing the Right Location: Cleome thrives in full sun, so select a location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot and other water-related issues.

• Sowing Seeds: Cleome is often grown from seeds, and you can start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Alternatively, you can sow them directly in your garden when the soil has warmed up in the spring.

• Planting Depth: Plant cleome seeds about ¼ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. They need space to grow and spread, so consider their mature size when planting.

2. Watering:

Proper watering is essential for cleome to thrive.

• Consistent Moisture: Cleome prefers even, consistent moisture. Water the plants when the top inch of soil is dry, and aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to water at the base of the plants to prevent fungal issues.

• Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch, like straw or wood chips, around the base of the cleome plants to help retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.

3. Fertilizing:

Cleome is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from periodic feeding.

• Balanced Fertilizer: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer when planting cleome, and then apply a light application every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. This will help promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.

4. Pruning and Deadheading:

Pruning and deadheading cleome can extend the flowering season and keep the plant looking tidy.

• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage the plant to produce more flowers. Simply pinch or cut off the fading blossoms where they meet the stem.

• Thinning: Cleome can become quite dense, and it's a good idea to thin them out to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.

5. Pests and Diseases:

Cleome is relatively resistant to most pests and diseases, but a few common issues to watch for include aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew.

• Natural Predators: Encourage natural predators, like ladybugs, to help control aphid and whitefly populations.

• Fungicide: If powdery mildew becomes a problem, consider using a fungicide specifically formulated for garden use.

6. Overwintering:

Cleome is an annual plant, but it can reseed itself in the right conditions. Allow some spent flowers to go to seed, and they may come back the following year.

These seeds were hand harvested locally and a video of the plant and harvest can be seen here: t